Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Jul 8:

The Garbha Gruha (sanctum sanctorum) of the Shri Jagannath temple in Odisha’s holy town Puri is intact claimed an expert team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that examined the Jagamohana (the prayer hall adjacent to the sanctum sanctorum) and Garbha Gruha of the 12th-century shrine.

ASI expert team in Puri

The team comprising of ASI’s joint director general Himadri Bihari Ota, experts from IIT Madras and Kharagpur and other experts of the ASI headquarters at Delhi minutely examined the condition of the Garbha Gruha and fragile Jagamohana today.

The team informed the media that in the next seven days grouting and chemical cleaning of the Garbha Gruha will be done. Grouting of the seven pockets of the Jagamohana will be also done during this period.

“The Garbha Gruha is more or less intact. There is no apparent danger to it. Grouting and chemical cleaning of the stone chips will be done. After those are cleaned and grouting is completed, stainless steel frames will be fixed. Earlier we used to get two-three hours to do our job, now we will get 10-12 hours for the job. Temporary repairs have been completed to prevent caving in. In my opinion, the final/permanent repair should not be done in a haphazard manner. Before going for an intervention of any kind, we should study its impact and then go ahead,” said Himadri Bihari Ota, joint director general ASI commenting on today’s visit by the ASI’s expert team.

“The expert committee today examined the Jagamohana and the Garbha Gruha of the temple. Core Committee and Technical Committee members, experts from IIT Madras and Kharagpur were present and have examined the structure. Their assessment will be known after the meeting,” said Hemsagar Abhay Nayak, superintendent of the ASI.

The director general of the ASI will hold a review meeting tomorrow in Bhubaneswar to assess the situation and progress made in the repair.

Later, a blueprint will be drawn up for permanent repair of the damaged structure.